U.S. Intensifies Counterterrorism Campaign in Somalia Amid Growing ISIS Threat to Homeland
EXCLUSIVE: The United States military has launched an unprecedented series of airstrikes in Somalia, targeting an evolving terrorist network that senior commanders say poses a direct and persistent threat to the American homeland.
In an exclusive interview, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. John Brennan, deputy commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), detailed the intensified campaign against Islamic State (ISIS) and al-Shabab militants. Brennan, a veteran of special operations across the Middle East, stated the core objective is to disrupt external attack planning before it reaches U.S. shores. "We're playing the away game," he told Fox News Digital. "When these groups have time and space to plot, the risk of attacks in the U.S. and Europe rises significantly."
The data underscores the surge in operations. In 2025 alone, AFRICOM executed 124 airstrikes in Somalia—a twelve-fold increase from the previous year. The tempo has continued into 2026, with 26 strikes conducted in January. This marks a strategic shift, as the epicenter of Islamist terror activity migrates from the Middle East to the Horn of Africa.
Central to the threat is Abdulqadir Mumin, the Somali-born leader of the global ISIS network, believed to be operating from the Golis Mountains. "We want to make sure he has no safe space anywhere," Brennan said, confirming U.S. forces are actively hunting Mumin. The campaign has yielded territorial gains, with Puntland security forces reclaiming over half the terrain once held by ISIS-Somalia.
However, the al Qaeda-linked al-Shabab remains a potent force in southern Somalia, now reportedly coordinating with Houthi militants. While its focus appears regional, Brennan described it as "the strongest, most well-financed part of the al Qaeda global franchise," with ambitions to seize Mogadishu.
The U.S. role has evolved into a "remote advise and assist" model, providing Somali partners with advanced intelligence, surveillance, and precision strike capabilities. Ambassador Robert Scott, AFRICOM's deputy for civil-military engagement, highlighted the growing burden-sharing with regional nations like Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia's federal states.
Beyond security, officials see a long-term opportunity. Brennan pointed to Somalia's untapped natural resources and critical minerals, suggesting that private-sector investment, enabled by stability, could become "a guarantor of security."
/// PUBLIC REACTION ///
Marcus Johnson, Security Analyst at the Global Risk Institute: "The data is stark. This escalation reflects a sober assessment that the Somali theater is no longer a peripheral conflict but a direct node for homeland threats. The strategy of enabling local forces with U.S. intelligence and airpower is the only sustainable model."
Sarah Chen, Former State Department Policy Advisor: "While degrading terrorist capacity is necessary, we must scrutinize the long-term plan. Each strike has complex local repercussions. True security will come from governance and economic development, not just military pressure. The mention of 'critical minerals' raises questions about underlying motivations."
David Miller, Veterans for Accountability Advocate: "This is a forever war by another name. We've swapped boots on the ground for remote-controlled killings, with zero public debate. They claim success, but the threat keeps growing. How many more decades and billions of dollars will this take? It's a failed strategy repackaged."
Fatima Abdi, Somali Journalist based in Mogadishu: "For Somalis, the sound of drones is a daily reality. These strikes may target militants, but they also perpetuate a cycle of fear and instability. The international focus must broaden to support the institutions that prevent radicalization in the first place."